Essex County Council has told the Government that it cannot support the proposal for devolution in Greater Essex ‘in its current form’.
Council leader Kevin Bentley welcomed reorganisation as a ‘huge opportunity’ but objected to the voting arrangements for the board of the proposed Mayoral Combined County Authority.
He argued that under the proposals the council would have fewer votes than Southend and Thurrock combined despite 80% of Greater Essex residents living within the county council area.
He added that this 80% entitles the county council to at least 50% of the votes on the board of the combined authority.
In its response to the reorganisation consultation, the council said the ‘structural imbalance’ meant it ‘cannot support the proposal for devolution in Greater Essex in its current form’.
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